News for Mechanical Engineering at UNO

April 12, 2013

Recent University of New Orleans graduate Pawan Maharjan has been awarded a $10,000
graduate fellowship from Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. Maharjan, who
earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in December, plans to pursue
a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UNO as well.

Recent University of New Orleans graduate Pawan Maharjan has been awarded a $10,000
graduate fellowship from Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. Maharjan, who
earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in December, plans to pursue
a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UNO as well.

Tau Beta Pi fellowships are awarded on the basis of high scholarship, campus leadership
and service and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession.

Maharjan—a native of Kathmandu, Nepal—graduated summa cum laude and has received awards
from numerous organizations including the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American
Association of Drilling Engineers. In addition to his academic coursework at UNO,
he conducted independent research in residential heat ventilation and air conditioning.
He is an active member of organizations including Tau Beta Pi, ASME (founded as the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and Engineers Without Borders.

Maharjan said one of the reasons he is interested in pursuing his graduate degree
at UNO is because of a research project led by Uttam Kumar Chakravarty, an assistant
professor of mechanical engineering. Maharjan said the project involves building a
small robotic aircraft that imitates a housefly and has potential to be used by the
military for defense and reconnaissance.

Tau Beta Pi is the world’s largest engineering society and provides more financial
assistance to engineering students than any other engineering society in the world.
Membership represents the highest honor to be obtained by an engineering student and
is awarded on the basis of high scholarship and exemplary character.